What Is a Neurologist?
A neurologist is a medical doctor who has trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Neurologists perform neurological examinations of the nerves of the head and neck; muscle strength and movement; balance, ambulation, and reflexes; and sensation, memory, speech, language, and other cognitive abilities.
To become a board-certified neurologist several requirements must be met.
Neurologist Education Requirements
• Four years of premedical education in a college or university
• Four years of medical school resulting in an MD degree
• One year internship in either internal medicine or medicine/surgery
• At least 3 years of specialty training in an accredited neurology residency program
After completing residency training, neurologists may enroll in a fellowship program to develop expertise in a subspecialty such as epilepsy (see what is an epileptologist), stroke, dementia, or movement disorders.